Reply To: Short & Sweet

Terumah: Satisfied?

The Kli Yakar has interesting observation about the measurements of the כלים of the משכן listed in the Parsha: the dimensions of the ארון (2.5 Amos long, 1.5 wide, 1.5 tall) end exclusively in half-measurements, while the most of the measurements of the שולחן (2 Amos long, 1 wide, 1.5 tall) end in whole numbers. Why the difference in measurements?

The Kli Yakar suggests that the message here is that by ruchniyos, we should never be satisfied with what we have. We should view our current accomplishments as being incomplete, and always be looking for opportunities for further growth.

But when it comes to our material belongings, the opposite is true. We should focus on being satisfied with what we have, on being מתפק במעוט and שמח בחלקו. (As for the half measurement of the height of the שולחן, the Kli Yakar interprets it to be a warning not to be haughty due to one’s material success.)

לע״נ דוד חיים בן ישראל דוב הכהן
לע״נ ר׳ חיים דוב בן ר׳ בןציון שלום